SCP Client for Windows

Getting Started with WinSCP

WinSCP is a graphical SCP, "point and click" encrypted remote file transfer, client for Windows. It is built on top of a portion of the PuTTY source code. It can be downloaded from http://winscp.vse.cz/eng/. After downloading, double-click on the icon to begin the installation. Follow all the steps, it is a typical windows install wizard, and choose the "typical" install option when prompted. It should only take a few seconds to install the package. When done a WinSCP icon should appear on the Desktop.

Double-click the WinSCP icon, a dialog box similar to the following will appear.

Enter your host, username, and password. Make sure the port number is 22. Click "OK". Once connected to the remote system, a window similar to the following will appear.

To move to the desired directories, use the navigation bars at the top. The local system is on the left and the remote system on the right. The toolbar at the bottom of the window contains function keys for performing copies, deletes, etc. To perform an action, hightlight the desired files or directories and press the appropriate function key (F5 for a copy). It will then prompt you for confirmation. Click "OK".

A status window will appear like this.

Depending on the size of the file(s) and the speed of your network connection, this could take a anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Many users at the Supercomputing Institute have very large files. Don't be suprised if a 2GB file takes an hour to complete. When you are ready to disconnect from the remote system, press F10 or just exit from the program.

If you have an account on any of the Institute's machines and have difficulties, please contact help@msi.umn.edu or call (612) 626-0802.